Baby Name Poll Results

I don’t like Dakota because it is too girly for boy and to masculine for a girl. I say leave that for the states. Marcus Patrick is a great combination and Maddox Mitchell is a tongue twister.

I don’t like Dakota, and I don’t think it flows with Allen. Maddox Mitchell is strange, I guess because the names both start with the same letter. Marcus Patrick is a strong and masculine name that will age well. Good luck!

I like Maddox Allan better.

Marcus Patrick is such a great name. Classic but still fresh. I agree about Dakota’s ambiguous gender, plus I don’t like those yeehaw names. Maddox, to me, is just one of those Hollywood baby names. I wouldn’t want to name my kid something and have everyone think I was so impressed by Brangelina that I followed their lead in baby-naming.

You aren’t allowed to name your son Dakota.

Dakota is the name of a Native American tribe. This, you probably knew. What you don’t know is that it is incredibly offensive to name your child after Native tribes. The tribe is seen as a holy thing, and there are many rituals involved in Native baby naming. Would you name your child "God"? No, because it’s offensive to religion. I, as a Native American myself, am commenting so that I can make you aware of this. I see a lot of children named Dakota, Cheyenne, etc. and it’s very offensive. So please be respectful of the Native religion and take Dakota off of your potential names list. Thank you.

I voted for Marcus Patrick by the way, it’s a very nice combo. But I love Allen and Mitchell as names! :)

I don’t think any of these are in good enough combos.

How about:
Maddox Dakota
Dakota Marcus

I am offended by Liz’s comment...
I don’t like the name Dakota, but I don’t see anything wrong with giving this name to a child if a person likes it. There is obviously a special reason why they chose it. Would you feel insulted if someone (Native American or not) named their child Cheyenne or Dakota to honor the tribe?!

Aren’t allowed? You can name your child anything you want.
Anyway, I think Marcus Patrick is an awesome combination! GL!

Liz, you can’t tell people what they can and cannot name their children regardless of your opinion because it’s not illegal.

Dakota is a place name, also. If you have a problem, take it up with the United States of America. Also, since this is, the land of the FREE, she can name her son Dakota is she wishes.

I knew an American Indian who raised Buffalo on a ranch and each had an American Indian name. It was even called Tatanka Farm, meaning Buffalo from the same language that Dakota comes from.

Children are "holy," also.

The tribe would feel insulted if they chose Cheyenne or Dakota to honor them. That is not the proper way to honor a tribe. Cheyenne and Dakota are not even true names in the eyes of Native Americans. They are names of tribes, not names used for people.

A proper way to honor a tribe would be to think of a Native name you would like to use, a proper one, and ask the tribal elder for permission to use it, and go through the ritual naming ceremony.

Also you cant use Native names if you aren’t Native.

You may be offended by my comment, but Native Americans are offended by the lack of respect for who they are.

You can name your child anything you want, sure...Jesus Christ, God, Adolf Hitler, Dakota...do whatever you want. The chose is up to the parents. It might be offensive though.

There’s nothing wrong with the name Tatanka, that is a beautiful name :)

I’m sure their buffalo’s names were beautiful as well, and proper, as an American Indian they knew the proper rituals of naming.

Dakota though, is offensive.

LIZ YOU KNOW WHAT IS INCREDIBLY OFFENSIVE YOU TELLING ME THAT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO NAME MY CHILD WHAT I WANT TO NAME MY CHILD SO PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL TO ME......YOU NEED TO TRY NOT TO BE SO RUDE!!!!!!

There are millions of children named Dakota and Cheyenne. Ireland and Scotland aren’t names for people but people use them. Erin is an anglicized version of the word for Ireland that the Irish use but it is NOT a name in Ireland. However, it is one of the most popular Irish names outside of Ireland.

She needs not worry about not being Native to name her child a name. I’m not Hebrew but my son is named Benjamin. I am not Scandinavian but my daughter has Kiersten as her middle name.

I can find no literature on the internet about such things. People who are Native American but who do not practice or live in Reservations, may want to honor their culture or their tribe. Who cares but you? You cannot prove that this would be insulting to others.

I honestly think that you are making up "facts" to throw out since no one is listening to your increasingly ridiculous claims.

There are tons of children named Jesus and Christian, Christopher (named after Christ). Adolf is a name (Some countries have banned it and Hitler). Who is offended by those names? No one because they may (or may not be) honoring something important to them. If I even remotely liked Dakota, I wouldn’t think twice about using it for my son. I’ve named a buffalo calf Lakota and his father was Dakota. There was also a Cheyenne.

I’m more offended by names spelled incorrectly and names that aren’t actually names (made-up or months). However, people use PLACE names and NATURE names and WORD names, all the time. Dakota is the NAME of a tribe. Therefore, it is a NAME and can be used.

I’m not being rude. I’m telling you in a very nice tone that the name Dakota, like a lot of fake Native American names, is considered offensive within the Native American community. If you wanted to name your child Adolf Hitler, I would tell you it’s offensive too.

I think your caps lock button is stuck. You may want to get that checked out.

The tone used in saying, "You are not allowed..." is offensive and rude. You are not dictator and cannot tell someone they aren’t ALLOWED to name their child something, unless it is unlawful. You can say, "Within the Native American community, the name Dakota would be offensive." That states your claim and opinion in a seemingly nice and informative manner.

Please, prove to me that this is offensive. I beg of you.

Thank you, previous poster! I don’t think the tribes themselves are offended, but it’s Liz who is. She’s trying to talk the poll creator out of using a great name in some twisted manner because she probsbly can’t stand the fact that some people have good tastes in names. Although, offensive or not, my vote goes to Marcus Patrick. But DO NOT let Liz’s pessimistic attitude influence your opinion on Dakota. If you love it, use it!

Oh, and if "Dakota" does not live anywhere in spitting distance of a Native American tribe, who gives a flip if his name is offensive to them?!

"There are millions of children named Dakota and Cheyenne."

I know, it’s really quite sad, isn’t it?

"Ireland and Scotland aren’t names for people but people use them."

That isn’t really the same logic. Those names aren’t considered offensive by Gaelic authorities.

"She needs not worry about not being Native to name her child a name."

Many people don’t worry. However, I’d never name my child a name without proper info.

"I’m not Hebrew but my son is named Benjamin. I am not Scandinavian but my daughter has Kiersten as her middle name."

Again, that logic doesn’t really work, because Native American rituals demand that one must be Native to have a Native name. Your children have beautiful names, by the way :)

"I can find no literature on the internet about such things. People who are Native American but who do not practice or live in Reservations, may want to honor their culture or their tribe. Who cares but you? You cannot prove that this would be insulting to others. "

Actually, I can. I have found lots of literature on it, plus I can call up my personal tribal elder for information. I belong to the Onondaga tribe. Do you want their number?

"I honestly think that you are making up "facts" to throw out since no one is listening to your increasingly ridiculous claims. "

Do you really think I’d lie so much to make one person name her kid a name I hated? Dude, there are WAY too many names I hate to do that. It’d be too much work. It’s not like I belong to the Church of Bad Names and come knocking on peoples doors. I hate lots of names, I admit, but the top thing that gets me is this. I just don’t want to make people offended, okay? If I can keep a Dakota from being born, good.

"There are tons of children named Jesus and Christian"

Yes, but not "Christ", which is where the offense comes in. Nobody would names their son "The Christ".

"Dakota is the NAME of a tribe. Therefore, it is a NAME and can be used."

But it’s not a personal name. it’s not used for people. Tribes are seen as holy things. As in, off limits to be named after.

Liz you need to try to chose words on the kinder side I understand the point you are trying to make but the way you try to make comes off very rude..BTW there is nothing wrong with my caps button...I am not Native American I didn’t chose the name because it is Native American I chose the name because I like it I’m not pushing my religion on to you ..We live in America..You know freedom of speech..Freedom of religion(that means everyone has a choice on what to believe)

Liz, if I wanted to name my son Christ, I would. The fact that I am Atheist sort of holds that one back. However, I see in problem in naming my son that. If I were religious and wanted to honor someone such as Jesus Christ, that could be an option for me.

Are you saying that if I was not Native (which I am in blood but have never practiced) I could not name my child a Native name, such as: Catori, Nova, or Anna?

no*

I think the point is that if you’re trying to show some kind of good feeling about the Dakota tribe by naming your child Dakota, you’re going about it in the wrong way entirely -- doing something that actually annoys the very people you are trying to show some kind of good feeling toward. Obviously you can name your child anything you like, but if you’re trying to come across as someone is especially knowledgeable about or respectful of Native culture, then choosing the name Dakota is the exact wrong thing to do.

She has the name on her list because she likes it. As it has become an actual name, since it is the name of people, already. Place names are used often, which is what she can claim she’s doing. Perhaps she really loved her and her families vacations in North Dakota. She loved the view and the wildlife. This is how she is honoring a place she loved. Since Dakota is a tribe name and not a place name, as you say, are the states offensive?

You know, it’s hard for people of different cultures to really understand one another sometimes. It is especially difficult for evangelical Americans, who always think they’re right and who are astonishingly unspiritual in spite of all their arm-waving, to understand or appreciate the spirituality of other people.

Instead of flapping your arms about how "she can’t name her baby that" and "oh yes she can," why not just understand that "She doesn’t mean harm by naming her baby that" and "Nevertheless, the Dakota people are indeed offended by it, whether you understand why or not."

Since you do claim Native heritage, you can name your children Native names. However, there is a whole "process", if you will, to it. Many tribes will not let you pick names outside of your own language. Myself, I am Iroquois, and as such I can choose from Iroquois names. You would have to consult your own tribe to find out if the name if you have in find is proper, go through a name blessing ceremony, blah blah blah.

In the end, you should really just pick an American name! Much easier!

Good point, previous poster! Liz, are you going to sue the states because they offend YOU?! I doubt the tribes are insulted, it’s all in your head.

*mind

I never said the states were offensive, states aren’t people ;)

And I’m not suing the poster either

To Mr. Diplomat over there:

Um...because that would be too easy, and everybody wants to be the correct party ;)

SHE DOES NEED TO CHOOSE A NAME OF HER OWN CULTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PEOPLE DO THAT, SOME DON’T. THERE IS NO LAW THAT SAYS PEOPLE MUST GIVE THEIR CHILDREN NAMES FROM THEIR OWN HERITAGE. I HAVE CHOSEN A COMBINATION WITH TWO GREEK NAMES AND I AM NOT AT ALL GREEK! IT IS NOT YOUR SON, LIZ! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR STUBBORN HEAD!!! GET OVER IT!

Liz I am NOT Native American I am Mostly Italian....My husband is NOT Native American or Italian...Trust me us Italians have many belief to but am I pushing them onto you

Oh, that.
Anyway, Marcus is a good name, so use that. I’m tired of all these people who get all teary-eyed and misty about cultures *or* places they know nothing about and start naming their kids after them. You end up with all these little anglo kids with inappropriate Native names, children named after godawful holes like Camden (which nobody who had ever been there would dream of naming their child), children named after Hindu demons because mommy read a book about India once, etc.

I’m not saying I would do such a thing, I was asking if I WASN’T of Native descent, could I name my child a Native name, like Anna? It’s a very common name that specifically isn’t from Native American culture or language, but rather of Hebrew origin but it is a name to the Algonquin. Would someone without Native American blood be offended someone with it, if they came across this child?

Are you HONESTLY offended by this ONE child?
Perhaps it’s just myself, but I really cannot believe that you would make this such a big deal and state that she is not ALLOWED to use this name. Perhaps I just am not easily offended over such things. Though, even if I were more in tune with my heritage, I probably wouldn’t be offended but more joyful that the name has stuck around and has made its way into other cultures, thus making me, and my heritage, apart of the overall human race. Think of it as a gift. Think of it more like a way to know that your culture and your descendants are remembered throughout the world.

I know Italians have beliefs, trust me, two of my best friends are Italian :P

I wouldn’t ever name my child an Italian name. My favorite boys name is Matteo, but I wouldnt use it. I also wouldnt do anything that might be offensive to the Italian people.

There are other places with those names, not just ones that are "holes," such as Camden, which is a baseball stadium, where I live. People who love this city and baseball have been naming their sons Camden for a LONG time.
Camden is also a town in New South Wales, Australia. Perhaps the parents of a few Camden’s really loved it there. It’s also a surname, which someone could use to honor someone else. ETC. ETC. ETC.

We agree on something! I LOVE Matteo (I’m also part Italian, though.) I think you should choose a name you LOVE and not worry about the associations. You have a tradition and a culture you want to honor by only using your tribes names but branching out isn’t a bad thing.

>>>I probably wouldn’t be offended but more joyful that the name has stuck around and has made its way into other cultures, thus making me, and my heritage, apart of the overall human race. Think of it as a gift.

But do you understand that while you might feel that way and give yourself a sprained shoulder by twisting around to pat yourself on the back about your wonderfulness, that it’s also perfectly legitimate to have an entirely different not-comprehensible-to-you take on this? You ask Liz to just accept that nobody means offense (and I’m sure they don’t -- they’re just clueless). How about if you try to understand that someone might mean well but still give offense?

Dakota isn’t really a gift, because its not an actual Native American name. When people start naming their kids things like Chayton, Genesee, and Yenene, then I suppose I’ll be excited =)

Could you name her Anna if you weren’t Native? Sure, lots of people do. Anna isnt really a real Native name, just one adopted by the Algonquin from Hebrew. If you wanted to use a real Algonquin name though like Abukcheech, then I’d say you’d definitely have to take that up with your local tribe, and they’d probably say no, since you’re not Native.

If the name is offensive to people you don’t know, who cares? They should honestly get over themselves, like Liz should be doing. Origin does not matter! Most people don’t bother with the heritage, they name their kids what they want, regardless of where the name came from. And it’s entirely impossible to follow Liz’s policy because I know lots of people who don’t like any of the names from their own culture. I have 50% German blood, but I honestly despise most German names. Liz has no control over what other people name their kids let alone their personal reason of choosing the name.

Camden is also the last name of the 7th Heaven family, which was a really predictable tweeny TV show ;)

Liz--Why are you so bound to argue about your heritage when your name is Hebrew

It’s not a policy, as in "everybody must pick only names from their personal heritage" silly =)

it only applies to Native American names

you hate German names? good! who would name their kid Jan and Bernard anyway? ewww! Name your kid Italian names ;)

I was named after my grandmother, actually I was named after both my grandmothers.

Natives usually have white names, its very rare you’ll meet a Native person with a "traditional" name nowadays.

People should, indeed, name their kids whatever they want. They should merely keep in mind that if they’re trying to come across as respectful of a particular culture, that they should actually respect that culture by looking into what people of that culture would find respectful.
If you don’t care about respecting some particular culture, then do whatever you damn well please! :-)

Oh, and I’m not really bound by my heritage. I don’t plan on using Native names for my children.

My children are getting Latin names =)

So a Native American can name their children non Native American Names but a non Native American can not name their child a Native American Name sounds fishy to me

Liz So you are not bound by you heritage you sure sound like it Maybe the Latin culture would be offenend if you name your children Latin Names

The heck with respecting culture, other people should respect the names people choose for their own children.

You can name your children whatever you like, fishy. It’s just that Native people have a feeling about their names that other people don’t happen to have.
Think of it kind of like this: In the US, people are really really into property rights, their fences, their boundaries. If you had a big estate and you were wandering around on it and found people picnicking in your field, you’d probably be annoyed and tell them to get off your land. In the UK, it’s entirely normal for people who live near someone’s big estate to take a picnic lunch onto the estate and just hang out in some part of the woods all afternoon, and it would be considered really churlish if the landowner came along and told them to go away.

Native people perhaps feel about their names somewhat like the typical American feels about his very own backyard.

>>The heck with respecting culture
If you don’t respect the culture, why would you want to name your child after it?

Latin culture doesn’t really exist, Ancient Rome fell a couple thousand years ago *rolls eyes*

Do y’all realize we’ve been arguing for three hours now? LOL

Ah, Latin. I adored that class. I also love the names. Natalia Kiersten, Benjamin Silas, Nikolai Jude, and Sebastian Dominic are mostly "Latin" names.


I think that you should let his parents worry about offending any practicing Native Americans.
I understand your point but you know that you went about this the entirely wrong way and that is (and may be the sole reason) why you were ill received. The point of the message was forgotten because no one could get over your authoritative tone and complete disregard over a parents right to name his/her child what they wish, in the USA.

Practicing Native Americans? Would you say practicing Italians? Practicing Australians?

My favorite Latin boy’s name is Sebastian. Nice taste.

Americans believe that "in this good ol’ USA, we have rights and freedoms". Native Americans aren’t willing to believe that their home is the "USA". They are constantly seceeding, and claiming their land as their own. That is the first boundary.

No, just like I wouldn’t say Practicing Americans. Native American’s are a culture, who have their own beliefs, rituals and religions. I am an American who is also Cherokee, Italian and a sprinkle of Irish. I do not "practice" my Cherokee culture. I do not follow their beliefs (in their entirety), nor do I associate with my fellow tribesmen (or even the family who passed this heritage down to me). You can have a heritage but not "practice" their ways.

Okay, I forgive Liz. I think this arguement is kind of officially over. Names, like hugs, are free. :) I wish I were Italian by the way. But I’m 50% German...dang it. LOL

The Cherokee have some awesome names. My favorite is Galilahi. It means "beautiful" =)

Look Guys here’s the bottom line. Go To Bed. Liz you have told everyone what you believe and I completely agree. Even though she is not trying to offend everyone you are voicing your opinion and that most be respected. Dakota isn’t even that great of name. Marcus Patrick is the best and this is a free world so Liz and everyone else can voice to there opinion, even if you don’t agree you must respect there wishes. Live with it.

I don’t really like my dad’s huge Italian family. They’re not very understanding and are set in their ways. The whole lot of them. They’re loud and opinionated (though, sometimes I tend to follow suit) and we will never agree on just about anything. I love my Irish side, though. I wish I had more in me so my husband would quit bothering me about my "obsession" with the culture and my desire to learn everything I possibly can about it.

I agree, we must give each other respect. I do believe that this argument would never have existed if the appropriate tones were used but all is forgiven and I hope that Liz can see what I find is a fault in her approach. We all just need to be a bit more courteous.

Thanks about my taste, by the way. Sebastian honors my mother in a way, who wanted me to be named Sebastian, if I were a boy. She didn’t want me to have a nickname. However, she chose two of the longest and nickname-filled names on the planet to give me: Sebastian (boy), Alexandra (girl).

I can’t go to bed yet Andrew. Haha. But I will stop. Thanks for stalking me, it shows you care :)

italian and irish are indeed big cultures to have in your background. italian: loud, opinionated, catholic, love to eat. irish: catholic, love to drink beer, love to argue. lol. sorry I’m being sterotypical but hey ain’t it the truth? i’m some irish too so its no offense to you. except I hate beer. ugh.

Um I’m not stalking you but tell yourself whatever. Is anyone watching the olympics today.

*you want, :D

Did you guys notice this is the 4th most commented poll in BNG history???

I was being sarcastic about the stalking thing!

And no, I didn’t know that. I don’t even know how to navigate those things around here. =/

I’m not watching the Olympics. I’m boycotting China, haha.

I was watching "School of Rock" and "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" while we were arguing. haha

School of Rock is an awesome movie.

I know, I watched it twice. Hey, we agree on something!

Yeah, I think we agreed on something else earlier, but frankly, this page is flippin long, and I don’t want to scroll to find it at 1 oclock in the morning LOL.

It’s only midnight where I am. I know it was something about Italian...gosh I wish I were Italian. My favorite movie and opera are both Italian.

ugh, I’m tired, and the only opera I can think of is Phantom of the Opera, and that aint Italian. lol

the only opera I have seen is Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, but it was very good, although very Russian...I’m glad there were surtitles

what are your favorite movie and opera?

Just a question but your up at 1 am. It’s 10 in California. I recently watched The Eye and Juno at home with my wife. I like the Phantom of the opera. To bad at eleven. I think I’ll log out now.

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and La Traviata, by Guisseppe Verdi. Phantom of the Opera actually isn’t an opera, it’s a Broadway musical.

oh...right....

I actually know of La Traviata. My brother has a very odd taste in music. Hates anything like rap, hip pop, rock, dance, etc. Likes: Frank Sinatra, opera, classical, other Jazz, blues, etc.
haha

I have an odd taste in music, eh? Unique among teenagers, yes. I want to sing in La Traviata someday. My sister Liz says I’d be a darn good Violetta. :D

Actually I love opera and classical. But it is odd. You don’t hear many teens rocking out to Mozart nowadays :D

and I’m sure you’d be a great opera singer.

Thank you. :) I know my favorite opera singer, she’s sort of my inspiration. AKA Princess Aurora and Violetta Valery in the 1960’s.

TYPO! 1970’s.

If you didnt correct yourself i would have never known lol.

Goodness gracious you two.

Yeah, the Irish and Italian and big Catholics -- though I appreciate the Irish more since they still hold onto some of their Pagan beliefs. I’m not Catholic so I don’t exactly fit in. I don’t think you should have to keep secrets from your family. I also hate beer!

Second most commented now..

I’m not Italian, or Catholic. I don’t like beer, or wine either. Not just because I’m not 21, because alcohol smells nasty and I can’t figure out why people drink it.

My name is Cheyenne and I am Native American. Liz, I think you’re crazy. Pyscho, even.